Both nations team up to help Afghanistan, eradicate terrorism

India and Russia, on Thursday, said they would work together for the reconstruction of Afghanistan and expressed hope that terrorism would be completely eradicated from the region within a decade.

indiaUpdated: Dec 12, 2014 01:14 IST

HT Correspondent Hindustan Times

India and Russia, on Thursday, said they would work together for the reconstruction of Afghanistan and expressed hope that terrorism would be completely eradicated from the region within a decade.

“The two sides hope to see an Afghanistan that would, within a decade, flourish as a prosperous hub for trade, industry and energy,” a joint statement issued after the summit said. They also exhorted the international community to continue with the reconstruction work in Afghanistan.

“The leaders expressed hope that all safe havens and sanctuaries for terrorists will be wiped out without delay and terrorism would be completely eradicated from the common region within a decade,” the statement added.

One of the reasons Russians cite for their closer ties with Pakistan is the need to combat terrorism.

“I conveyed my deepest condolences for the loss of lives in the terrorist attack in Chechnya. This also reflects our many shared challenges,” Prime Minister Modi said in his statement to the media. Putin expressed condolence over the loss of lives in the recent terror attacks in Kashmir.

“They (the two leaders) believe that the nature and spread of international terrorism in recent years, as demonstrated by developments in their shared neighbourhood, require global resolve and cooperative measures of the international community without double standards or selectivity,” said the statement.

The two leaders also said the threat to humanity posed by terrorism justifies a collaborative approach, in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations, putting aside differences and tensions between countries and regions.